(John
1:1-3 NKJV)
*Jesus ="the word".
"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory
which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
(John
17:24 NKJV)
So Jesus was with God before the world was ever created and has seen the "condition" the world is in. He knows that we
are sinful people in need of saving. God knowing that we could not "save" ourselves from our own sin, gives us the "perfect"
gift to save us, His Son Jesus!
You see the Israelites were God's chosen people. Up until the time of Jesus, In Israel, a sacrifice would have to
be made for the people's sin. This sacrifice was made by the priest, but it had to be done year by year. The human nature,
being what it was (and still is) could never stop sinning! So what happened? Year by year the priest had to atone (make
"amends") for the people's sin. It could never be done "once and for all", that is until Jesus came:
"And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which
can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right
hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever
those who are being sanctified.
(Hebrews 10:11-14 NKJV)
You see Jesus did it once and for all! No more would people need a priest to be their "intercessor". Jesus became just
that for anyone and everyone who would accept Him as Lord and Savior! And it was done one time! Never would it have to
be done again!!
Not only is He our Savior (if we so choose), but He also lived here (on earth) as a man. He knew what it was
to have hardships, be tempted:
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in
all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
(Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV)
So we have someone who knows and understands our weaknesses and is able to help us when we call on Him! Isn't
it wonderful to know that Jesus knows what it is to have struggles? How many times have you wished that someone
could understand your weaknesses, struggles, hardhships? But we do have someone.....Jesus!!
So Jesus gives the oppurtunity to be saved and He understands our weaknesses!!!
Now this promise of salvation was offered to ALL (everyone!), as foretold by the prophets:
"Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on
her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
"You are My people!'
And they shall say, "You are my God!"'
(Hosea 2:23 NKJV)
"Indeed He says,
"It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to
restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth."'
(Isaiah 49:6 NKJV)
During Jesus's ministry this promise of salvation was given (offered) to the children of Israel. But as foretold
by the prophets (as we just read) it was also given to the gentiles*, but it was not revealed to them until
later. This did not happen until Jesus had ascended into heaven and the apostles ministry continued.
*Gentile = "non"-Israelite.
This is how it happened. Cornelius, a gentile, was given directions by the Holy Spirit to go see Peter the apostle. When
Cornelius visited Peter, it was revealed to him that he and other gentiles were offered salvation:
"So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in
my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, "Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your
alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging
in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' So I sent to you immediately, and you
have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."
Preaching to Cornelius' Household
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But
in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of
Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout
all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And
we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on
a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by
God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and
to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness
that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to
stay a few days.
(Acts 10:30-48 NKJV)
So here we have Cornelius who is led by the Holy Spirit to hear from Peter the apostle. Peter then speaks by the Holy Spirits
guidance to inform Cornelius and the others (present with him) that salvation is extended to them (the gentiles, as well
as to the Israelites).
Also Paul the apostle spoke of salvation being extended to the gentiles:
"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and
they will hear it!"
(Acts 28:28 NKJV)
In fact it was Paul's primary ministry to preach salvation to the gentiles:
"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,"
(Galatians 1:15-16 NKJV)
You see it was in God's plan to extend the promise of salvation to the gentiles also. However it was not revealed until
later. So here we have God's purpose, salvation offered to all who will accept it. This is done "via" Jesus' work on
the cross. You see Jesus was the perfect sacrifice which was once offered for all sin. No more would a priest have to offer
sacrifices for sin for the people. Jesus offered himself once and for all:
"so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will
appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."
(Hebrews 9:28 NKJV)
So Jesus pays the price for our sin with His own life! Who do you know would lay down their life for you? Now that's love,
is it not?
Jesus also came to comfort, encourage and heal us. He is first and foremost of all our Savior, but
He also is there to help us in time of need and He truly loves us and values us! Many think that He is far removed
from us, but He is always there for us!! If we only turn to Him!!!
He is kind, loving, gentle, giving and He is much more than we can, or could ever imagine:
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To
console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
(Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV)
So Jesus is always there to help us. To "lift us up" when we are down, have "fallen" (etc.). To comfort us in time of mourning,
pain. To heal our broken hearts! Most of all He is here to set us free from our sin!!! And He gives us the one thing we can
never receive on our own, the right to be called children of God!!! So you see, there is much more to the "picture" than you
may think!
Now speaking of "Pictures", have you ever wondered what Jesus must have looked like? Have you ever looked at paintings,
renderings of Jesus' likeness? Have you wondered if these are accurate? You see many "paint" this picture of a "handsome"
Jesus with blonde (type), or light hair and blue eyes. Actually though, He would not be like what many might expect.
He would have Hebrew features, dark hair, eyes. Also He would not be like some kind of "model". In fact He would probably
be the average person that you may pass by, perhaps not even notice? Or the person you might "snub" your nose at (look down
at), or the last person you would expect to be, or look like, the Son of God? You see the Bible does describe Jesus,
His appearance. It also describes Jesus' actions on our behalf, His character. And how He was treated by those He died for:
"Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of
dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with
grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our
griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed
and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers
is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
And they made
His grave with the wicked--
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall
prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His
knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their
iniquities.
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the
transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors."
(Isaiah 53:1-12 NKJV)
You see the "pretty" picture of Jesus may be what we see painted by those who have tried to portray Him. But the truth
is, what we may find out is that He is much different then what we thought!
Also the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion of Jesus is beyond our complete comprehension. The pharisees
and sadducees, two religious groups of Jesus's time rejected Him. The pharisees believed in life after death, the sadducees
did not. One thing they both agreed on (the majority of them though), they did not believe Jesus to be the Son of God. They
did however do their best to persecute Jesus. In fact they set out to destroy Him. You see both of these groups were "self-righteous"
and looked down on others. They also were very judgemental and would condemn others (those they considered "inferior" to them).
Jesus however, was very loving, compassionate and forgiving. He was not like the "religious", "self-righteous" leaders
of His time. He loved and valued people:
"Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and
taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such
should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin
among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it,
being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman,
where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord."
And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(John 8:2-12 NKJV)
"And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because
they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things."
(Mark 6:34 NKJV)
"Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners
came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher
eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those
who are sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners, to repentance."
(Matthew 9:10-13 NKJV)
See Jesus was not like the relgious leaders of His day. He was humble, caring, compassionate, forgiving, and He loved people!
In fact He would be considered, in what we might term today, as being "radical". Jesus worked many miracles, He healed,
did acts of love and things that we can read about in God's word (as found in the Bible):
"Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit
and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?"
They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"
And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man
from dying?"
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
Jesus said, "Take away the stone."
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has
been dead four days."
Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father,
I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said
this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come
forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said
to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
(John 11:33-44 NKJV)
"And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus;
and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."
Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy
left him. And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing,
as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded."
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear,
and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
(Luke 5:12-16 NKJV)
Jesus was much different than the religous leaders of His day. He was not rich (according to worldly standards). He was
humble, gentle "lowly". In fact he did not even have an earthly home:
"And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Then
a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."
And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the
Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
(Matthew 8:18-20 NKJV)
You see Jeus is radically different than any of the religous leaders of His time, or any other time for that matter. He
truly (and deeply) loved and cared about people. In fact He still does:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden
is light."
(Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)
Its amazing to think, that here we have the Son of God coming to deliver us from our sin and our "empty" lives. Its hard
for many of us to "relate" to a heavenly Father when many of us, have a hard time just relating to our own earthly fathers!
You see to really know Jesus, goes beyond all the "hearsay" of people. By spending time with Him, praying, studying His word
(as found in the Bible). You can begin to really know, in an "intimate way", who He really is. You see if you had a close
friend, how well would you know that person if you spent very little time with that person? Its the same with Jesus! If you
want to know Him, you must spend time with Him!! Reading His word (the Bible) and prayer. When you pray though, you need to
spend as much time listening, as you do talking!!!
We can gather much from what scripture says of Jesus. But also there are things that Jesus did which are not even included
in scripture:
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that
even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen."
(John 21:25 NKJV)
But what we can read and study in the Bible can help us to gather much about who He really is. You see most
assume many things about Him. Much of this is usually going on the "hearsay", or opinions of others. Few however, ever
really study His word. The question is, do you want to know Him? And if so, how much?
Jesus also has many names that He has been called:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who
is to come, the Almighty."
(Revelation 1:8 NKJV)
Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
(John 1:49 NKJV)
"And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
(John 1:36 NKJV)
"Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have
mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
(Matthew 20:31 NKJV)
"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
(Luke 21:27 NKJV)
"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall
not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(John
8:12 NKJV)
"And
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall
never thirst."
(John 6:35 NKJV)
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us."
(Matthew 1:21 KJV)
"But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you,"
(Acts 3:14 NKJV)
"which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King
of kings and Lord of lords,"
(1 Timothy 6:15 NKJV)
"To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior."
(Titus 1:4 NKJV)
"And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the
fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts."
(Revelation 21:6 NKJV)
These are just a few of the names that Jesus has been called. There are so many more that could be added here, but these
are just a few!
There is so much to who Jesus is. The question is, do you want to know who He really is? If the answer is yes, then
you must pursue Him!
Philip once approached Jesus and asked this:
"Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has
seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father,
and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in
Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake
of the works themselves."
(John 14:8-11 NKJV)
There are so many things that can be said about Jesus, but unfortunately there are not enough words in this world to truly
do Him justice! Here, we have not even "barely touched", who He is. There is so much more!!
Jesus came to die just for you! He loves you!! He holds you dear to His heart!!! And if He had to do it all over
again, He would still lay down His life, just to give you the oppurtunity, to be called a child of God!!!
The question for you though, is this, do you really want to know what real love is? Do you want to know the one who loves
you so much, He gave up everything for you, in fact His own life? That if He had to do it all over again, He would?
Then you have to make that choice. Its yours! No one can make it for you!!
You see people will fill there lives with many things to satisfy themeselves. Whether anyone realizes it, or not,
the only thing that truly satisfies is having Jesus Christ in your life. People will fill their lives with drugs, sex, alcohol,
money, possessions and other things. However true peace, contentment, only come through knowing Jesus Christ as your
Lord and Savior. There's the old saying 'how much money is enough money?' The answer is, 'there is never enough'. No
matter what you fill your life up with here, can never completely satisfy and you will never be at peace. You see God created
us to have fellowship with Him, but He also gave us a choice, a free will. We can either choose to follow Him, or we can go
our own way. Most of us unfortunately seem to want to "go our own way" though. We sin, run away from Him and it seems
the last thing we want is to answer for our actions. Do you remember earlier when I spoke about Jesus' love? Well
its true that Jesus loves us in a deep, wonderful, passionate way. The thing we must understand though, is this, God
has His standards. He is righteous, He does not change His standards. He is not like us. He will punish sin, but
He also gives us a "way out", a way to be forgiven. That way is Jesus. Jesus is the only way. There are no other "gods", "paths",
"ways" to God:
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
(John
14:6 NKJV)
So many people see Him as "someone holding a hammer" waiting to impose judgement. What many do not understand is that He
is loving, wanting to forgive us, but its up to us to make that choice! He will not force us, He gave us "free will".
That's what free will is, a choice!
The question for you is, what are you going to do?
Would you like to know how to receive accept Jesus as Lord and savior?
How do I accept Jesus?
